IELTS Speaking Part 1

Sunglasses: Part 1 questions and answers

Real Part 1 questions about sunglasses, as candidates reported them. Play each one, answer it out loud, then open a short Band 7 reply to compare.

Today's topicSunglasses

4–5 minthe whole part
~12questions
~20 seach answer

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop. The examiner moves on fast, so short and real wins.

Reported in July 2026

Question 1: Do you often wear sunglasses?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerYes, I do, especially on the way to lectures. WhyThe bright sunshine in Lusaka means my sunglasses cut the glare and make reading signs easier. ExampleI bought this pair on last year, and I mean, they’re still nice, although the frame is a bit loose.

Why it's a Band 7

I mean, they’re still nice I mean is a natural spoken filler, and nice is less precise than comfortable or attractive.
cut the glare Cut the glare is the natural collocation for reducing bright light.
on last year An extra word: last year is correct.

About 18 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 2: In what situations do you wear sunglasses?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerI wear them when I’m outside for a while, Whymainly because the sunlight feels bad on my eyes. ExampleFor example, I put them on while waiting for a minibus after class, and they keep the sun out without making my face feel sweaty. I usually forget them on short trips, and that makes things awkward.

Why it's a Band 7

keep the sun out This shows a natural phrasal verb in a clear situation.
makes things awkward Things is vague; saying makes my eyes uncomfortable would be more precise.
and they keep the sun out without Repeating and is common in natural spoken answers.
feels bad on my eyes A plain choice; feels harsh on my eyes would be more precise.

About 22 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 3: Do you spend much on sunglasses?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerNot really. WhyI’m a student, so I normally buy reasonably priced pair rather than splash out on designer frames. ExampleI paid about 180 kwacha for my current ones, which was okay for me, and I’d rather save that money for other things, like course materials.

Why it's a Band 7

splash out on designer frames This natural phrase shows flexible everyday vocabulary.
reasonably priced pair A common spoken slip: it should be a reasonably priced pair.
other things Things is vague; course materials gives the precise meaning.
which was okay for me A plain choice; which seemed fair would be more precise.

About 18 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 4: Do you think sunglasses are more about fashion or protection?

This or thatPick one and say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerFor me, they’re mainly for protection, Whybecause bright light gives me headache. ExampleThey come in handy on long bus rides across the city, when the sun comes through the window. Fashion matters a little, but I wouldn’t choose a pair just for how it looks.

Why it's a Band 7

come in handy This idiom is a natural way to say something is useful.
gives me headache A missing article: gives me a headache is correct.
Fashion matters a little A little is slightly vague; saying fashion is less important would be clearer.

About 18 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 5: Have you ever given sunglasses as a gift?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerYes, I have. ExampleI gave a pair to my younger cousin after I picked them up at a market in town. WhyHe’d started cycling to school, so the glasses seemed good for him. Let me think, I wasn’t sure whether he’d actually wear them.

Why it's a Band 7

picked them up at a market This phrasal verb sounds natural for buying something casually.
Let me think, I wasn’t sure Let me think is a realistic filler while recalling a personal detail.
seemed good for him Good is a general word; seemed practical for him would be more precise.

About 18 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Phrases to borrow

cut the glare

/ˌkʌt ðə ˈɡleə/

reduce strong, bright light

Polarised lenses really cut the glare off the water.

keep something out

/kiːp ˈsʌmθɪŋ aʊt/

stop something from entering

The curtains keep the sunlight out.

splash out on something

/splæʃ aʊt ɒn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

spend a lot on something enjoyable

She splashed out on a new winter coat.

come in handy

/kʌm ɪn ˈhændi/

be useful in a particular situation

A small torch can come in handy during a power cut.

pick something up

/pɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ ʌp/

buy or collect something casually

I picked up some notebooks on my way home.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

Phrases from the answers above. Pick the one that belongs in the gap.

Your turn: answer the examiner

Have you ever given sunglasses as a gift?

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop: about 20 seconds. Nothing is uploaded.

Want a band score?Sign in free, answer the examiner's Part 1 questions out loud and get one thing to fix.

Practise Part 1

Question 1: Do you often wear sunglasses?

Question 2: In what situations do you wear sunglasses?

Question 3: Do you spend much on sunglasses?

Question 4: Do you think sunglasses are more about fashion or protection?

Question 5: Have you ever given sunglasses as a gift?

Which phrase fits?

More Part 1 topics